tb2385 groenveld expert_one irf_final


ExpertOne: Introduction to IRFPraveen Bahethi June 2012

© Copyright 2012 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice.5

Objectives

Describe the benefits of using HP IRF Describe the roles of IRF members, the IRF ports, member IDs, and IRF

topologies Explain how the IRF master is elected Describe what a split IRF stack is and the mechanisms to detect and

remedy problems Implement an IRF system


Discussion Topics

IRF OverviewSingle Virtual DeviceIRF Architecture — Master and SubordinatesIRF Architecture — Operational PlanesTraffic ForwardingAdvantages of Using IRF

Implementing IRFSplit Stack


IRF System — A Single Virtual Device


Master and Subordinates

• Master — manages the IRF system• Subordinates — process services and function as

backups


Understanding Operational Planes

• Management • Control• Forwarding

Chassis-based switch architecture


Active, Proxy Management and Control Planes

Master’s management and control planes are active

Other members are like interface modules• Proxy management and control

planes• Active forwarding plane


Forwarding and Routing within the IRF System

Members learn MAC addresses,and the master distributes. MAC address Port

0018000001 3/0/4

0018000002 1/0/20

0018000003 2/0/12

0018000004 2/0/20

00180000010018000003

0018000004

0018000002

Member ID: 3 Member ID: 2

Member ID: 1


Advantages of IRF

Consider:• Management• Network design• Network operations• Reliability• Scalability


Simplified Network Design


Simplified Network Operations


High Reliability

• Link and device redundancy• Rapid failover

Scenario Failover time

Link aggregation: port removal/insertion

2 ms/0.7ms

Link aggregation: board removal/insertion

2 ms/1 ms

Chassis off/on 2 ms/0.14 ms

Software upgrade 2 ms


Streamlined Management and Scalability• Manage the IRF system as a single device• Increase bandwidth & processing capability by adding member

devicesSwitch Switches supported in 1 system Maximum #of IRF ports5120 4 4 10 GbE ports

5500 9 4 10 GbE ports

5800 9 8 10 GbE ports

5820 9 8 10 GbE ports

5830 4 8 10 GbE ports

7500 2 (4 planned in future) 8 10 GbE ports





Discussion Topics

IRF OverviewImplementing IRF

IRF RequirementsIRF TopologiesMember IDsIRF PriorityElecting a MasterIRF PortsIRF DomainConfiguration Process: Two OptionsISSUGraceful Restart

Split Stack


IRF Requirements

• All members in an IRF system must be the same switch model

• Members must be connected by10 GbE ports• Switches must be running compatible software


Daisy Chain or Ring Topology


Member IDs

Unique member ID are used for member identification & management


Electing a Master

When implementing a new IRF system, the member with the highest priority is electedOn the switch you want to be master, configure a high IRF priority number

If all members have the same priority:Member with the longest system up-time is electedMember with the lowest bridge address is elected

For an existing IRF system:The current master is electedThe other rules apply if the master is not available


Logical IRF Ports

• You bind one or more physical ports to a logical IRF port• You must connect IRF port 1 on one switch to IRF port 2 on

another switch


IRF Domain

Configure an IRF domain number to distinguish between multiple IRF systems on the same network


Configuration Process: Option 1


Configuration Process: Option 1continued …


Configuration Process: Option 2


Establishing and Maintaining the IRF System• Topology discovery• Role election• Maintenance


Synchronizing Configuration Files

Initial synchronizationWhen the IRF system is established, subordinates synchronize their configuration with the master’s

Real-time synchronizationAll configuration changes are synchronized to the subordinates’ configuration files


ISSU — Upgrade Software without Service Interruption• The master’s standby MPU or an IRF member is

upgraded• Standby MPU becomes active, or the IRF member

becomes master• The formerly active MPU or former IRF member is

upgraded; other IRF members are upgraded• Optionally, the original MPU or master resumes

role


OSPF Graceful Restart


Configuring OSPF Graceful Restart

1. Enable OSPF restart on the switch and select the method (IETF standard or non-standard)

2. Enable the capabilities required by the method:IETF standard = Opaque LSAsNon-standard = LLS and OOB

3. Enable the capabilities on the switch’s neighbors (which then act as helper for any switch)


Discussion Topics

IRF OverviewImplementing IRFDetecting and Resolving Split Stack

IRF Split StackMulti-active Detection (MAD)Detecting IRF Split Stack with LACPDetecting IRF Split Stack with BFDPreventing Collisions and Recovering the IRF System


IRF Split Stack

• A failure physically disconnects members in the virtual system

• Two IRF systems are formed, each using the same IP addresses and configuration settings


Multi-active Detection (MAD)

• Detects multiple active IRF systems with the same global configuration

• Prevents address conflicts by allowing one active IRF system to function and placing the other in recovery state (disabling it)

• Initiates failure recovery


Detecting IRF Split Stacks with LACP MAD switch that

supports extended LACPDUs


Detecting IRF Split Stacks with BFD


Prevent Address Conflicts and Recover the IRF System

Prevent address conflicts• MAD initiates an election between the two IRF systems• MAD places the IRF system that loses the election in recovery mode• MAD tries to repair link

Recover the IRF system• After the link is repaired, the IRF system in recovery mode reboots• The reconnected members establish the IRF system


Lab Activity 7

• Configure the two 5800 switches to form an IRF system• Configure MAD

1/1 2/2


Lab Activity 7 Debrief

• What challenges did you experience? • How did you deal with them? • What key insights did you make?• What troubleshooting tips did you discover?


Summary

IRF creates a single virtual switch• Streamlined management• Simplified network design and operations• Extremely reliable and resilient

IRF operation and configurationProtection against split stack


Learning check


Tools to Help Our Clients • Read about the FlexNetwork Architecture

• Learn about Virtual Application Networks

• Discover Intelligent Management Center

• View the HPN Portfolio Matrix Guide

• Learn about networking services from HP Technical Services

• Learn about networking career certifications from HP ExpertONE

http://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/GetPDF.aspx/4AA3-6037ENW.pdf


http://h17007.www1.hp.com/docs/interop/HP_Networking_Intelligent_Management_Center_Standard_Software_Platform_Datasheet_4AA3-0694ENW.pdf


http://www8.hp.com/us/en/services/services-detail.html?compURI=tcm:245-846146

http://www.hp.com/certification/expert_one-networking.html


Thank you

tb2385 groenveld expert_one irf_final

Technology

packard development

irf system

configuration

irf member

irf members

copyright

information

active detection